Question

How do you factor `5x^4y-10x^2y^2`?

Answer 1

`5x^4y-10x^2y^2 = 5x^2y(x^2-2y)`

Explanation:

First note that both terms are divisible by `5x^2y`, so separate that out as a factor first:

`5x^4y-10x^2y^2 = 5x^2y(x^2-2y)`

The remaining term `(x^2-2y)` cannot be factored further.